Capacity Building

Capacity Building Resources

In addition to grant funds, ongoing education funds, and set-aside funds, the Foundation works with community partners to provide resources that help nonprofits build their capacity to remain sustainable. To learn more about the programs below, and how your nonprofit can participate, please contact Sister David Ann Niski via email or call 757-886-6025.

Entrepreneurial Thinking Cohorts

Since 2020, Executive Directors and Board members from 38 nonprofit organizations have participated in Entrepreneurial Thinking Cohorts offered by the Foundation. These Cohorts involve participation in a 4-week intensive series of classes to explore the creation of new revenue streams and ensure the nonprofits’ long-term sustainability. Nonprofits are also provided with up to 6 months of mentoring from Executive Partners at William & Mary’s Mason School of Business Executive Partner Program.

Since its inception, the program has been led by Ron Monark, retired Managing Director of the Alan B Miller Entrepreneurship Center at William & Mary. Additional current and retired faculty from William & Mary’s Mason School of Business are each matched up with a nonprofit for the Cohort. They continue to work with their nonprofit for another 6 months as they research, plan, and implement strategies.

“We learned how important it is to stop thinking of our organization as a “charity” and more like a business…we must be entrepreneurial minded in order to find sustainable solutions to ensure future ability to meet the needs of our programs and clients.”

Catchafire

Over the past 5 years, Catchafire has proven to be an invaluable resource offered by the Foundation to help nonprofits take advantage of a diverse group of professionals who donate a wide variety of services to help them build their capacity.

In 2024, the Foundation’s partnership with Catchafire enabled our nonprofits to receive a total of 895 hours in services provided by 49 professionals at no charge. This resulted in a total savings to nonprofits of $180,122.

“Through the Foundation, we have had access to the valuable pro bono assistance of volunteers through Catchafire, enabling us to complete projects that we didn’t have the bandwidth or expertise to manage on our own.”

Collaboration

The Foundation also partners with NetworkPeninsula to offer workshops throughout the year, as well as Faith Forums and Legislative Breakfasts to help nonprofits connect to community partners.